Egg Masala – spicy egg dish
This easy delicious Egg masala in Indian spices pairs well with rice, parathas or bread. The aromatic onion and tomato sauce makes it irresistible for weekend brunch or weeknight dinner.
Every time I make eggs, it reminds me of two things. It reminds me of having eggs on street cart back in India. I miss having it with all the hustle bustle and so many ways eggs being prepared. The other situation is reminding me of how I started eating eggs. My family is conservative, and we do not really grow up eating eggs. Eggs were not even allowed in my house. But a crazy political situation led my dad to stay away from our house for few months and every weekend (because weekdays were for school) we visited him, we would eat omlette or eggs. That life changing moment is when eggs were literally introduced to us.
Eggs can be prepared so many ways. Sometimes, my friends are amazed to see all the different preparations of eggs we have.
The two most famous egg curries are one from Southern part of India, that uses traditional ingredients like curry leaves, coconut milk and enjoyed more with spiral layered parottas.
The other egg curry is from North India, which uses same technique but few different ingredients. When we went to Yellowstone National Park, I made this Egg Masala when we had so many leftover eggs and they needed to be used up. I also have some marinara sauce and salsa to use, so that egg curry was delicious. Just giving you an idea, if incase you don’t want to make the sauce just use store bought jars of marinara sauce and it will be ready in no time.
I usually do not use the word curry. But, in South of India they do call it egg curry. But if I were to make it this way, I prefer not to call is egg curry. If you do not know curry word introduced by colonizers. I might use the word curry here and there because I also want people who are non-Indians to be able to make these foods.
Tips/Suggestions
- Do not overboil the eggs. I prefer for perfect consistency exactly 6-8 minutes. Because no one really likes chalky yolks. Don’t forget the timer.
- You can even keep it slightly softer if you like yolk to be runny. I know some people love their yolks to be runny, helps dipping that bread.
- I like saucy masala, so I have used tomato puree. You can instead use canned tomatoes, fresh don’t come close to getting that tomato flavor.
- I also like mash up some of the yolks to create thicker sauce consistency.
Best way to boil eggs
- Place eggs in a pot and cover them completely with water.
- Once the water starts boiling cover the pot and cook eggs for 8 minutes.
- Once boiled transfer the eggs to an ice bath to stop the cooking process and then once they are cool, peel them. I slice whole peeled eggs horizontally into few slices per egg. Some people slice it into half.
- Serve eggs with some steamed rice, rotis, parathas or bread. My favorite is some ghee or butter toasted bread.
More egg dishes to try Egg Bhurji or Egg Gotala
Egg Masala
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp oil
- 6 hard Boiled eggs
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 1 8 oz can of tomato pulp/puree
- 4 garlic cloves finely grated or chopped
- 2 green chilies finely chopped
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1-2 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 tsp coriander/ cumin powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- Salt to taste
- Pinch of sugar or honey
- Cilantro to garnish
Instructions
- To a kadai or pan, add some oil. Once the oil is hot and then add cumin seeds, let them splutter. Add chopped onions, green chilies and garlic. Let it cook for few minutes until onions become soft.
- Add tomato puree and in few seconds, add all the dry spices – red chili powder, turmeric, coriander cumin powder, garam masala and salt. Stir to mix.
- In 2 minutes add ½ cup of water. If the taste of tomato puree is sour and if you wish to add a pinch of sugar or honey. Add it currently. Adjust the seasoning and water depending how saucy you like it.
- Add eggs slices/discs in the sauce. I like to mash up some of the yolk to make thicker consistency.
- Serve garnished with cilantro and side of toasted bread and onions.
Notes
- If you like, you can pan fry boiled eggs in a little oil and spices, adds more flavor and color. It also adds a crispy texture.
- you can also add some bell peppers.